THE FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA.
A MAGAZINE CONTAINING HAND-COLOURED FIGURES WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE
FLOWERING PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO SOUTH AFRICA.
EDITED BY
I. B. POLE EVANS, C.M.G., M.A., D.Sc., F.L.S.,
Chief, Division of Botany and Plant Pathology, Department of
Agriculture, Pretoria; and Director of the Botanical Survey of the
Union of South Africa.
VOL. III.
[Illustration]
The veld which lies so desolate and bare
Will blossom into cities white and fair,
And pinnacles will pierce the desert air,
And sparkle in the sun.
R. C. MACFIE’S “EX UNITATE VIRES.”
LONDON:
L. REEVE & CO., LTD.,
6 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
SOUTH AFRICA:
THE SPECIALITY PRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA, LTD.,
P.O. BOX 3958, JOHANNESBURG; P.O. BOX 388, CAPETOWN.
1923.
[_All rights reserved._]
TO
SIR FRANK UMHLALI REYNOLDS,
OF
LYNTON HALL, UMDONI PARK, NATAL,
WHOSE LOVE FOR GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE IS ONLY SURPASSED BY HIS
PUBLIC SPIRITED GENEROSITY, THIS VOLUME OF THE “FLOWERING PLANTS OF
SOUTH AFRICA” IS GRATEFULLY DEDICATED.
DIVISION OF BOTANY, PRETORIA,
_August, 1923_.
[Illustration: _81._]
PLATE 81.
CLEMATOPSIS STANLEYI.
_Transvaal. Tropical Africa._
RANUNCULACEAE. Tribe CLEMATIDEAE.
CLEMATOPSIS, _Bojer MS. ex Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin_, 1920, p. 12.
=Clematopsis Stanleyi=, _Hutchinson in Kew Bulletin_, 1920, p. 21.
CLEMATIS STANLEYI, _Harv. in Harv. and Sond. Fl. Cap._, vol. i. p. 2.
In the _Botanical Magazine_ (t. 7166) 1891, an excellent figure of this
species was given with some critical notes by Sir Joseph Hooker on the
taxonomic affinities of the species, and recently (Kew Bulletin, 1920)
Mr. J. Hutchinson dealt more fully with the group represented by our
plant. He has established Bojer’s MS. name _Clematopsis_, under which he
describes 15 species of which only _C. Stanleyi_ occurs within our
limits. The separation of _Clematopsis_ from _Clematis_ is based on the
aestivation of the sepals and for a full account of these differences
the reader is referred to Mr. Hutchinson’s article. The chief interest
in the genus is the fact that it forms a connecting link between the
tribes _Anemoneae_ and _Clematideae_, which were hitherto supposed to be
sharply demarcated. It is confined to the ancient plateau of Africa and
its continuation in Madagascar.
_Clematopsis Stanleyi_ is a fairly common plant in parts of the
Transvaal and has been recorded from the Pretoria, Witwatersrand,
Waterberg, Middleburg Districts, and it extends into Rhodesia and
Angola. In habit it is a small shrub 18 inches to 2 feet high and when
in full bloom is a very pleasing object and well worth the attention of
horticulturists. When in fruit the beauty of the plant is not entirely
lost as the long white plumose styles stand out in sharp contrast to the
surrounding vegetation.
The specimen figured here was collected by Miss S. Gower at Krugersdorp
in February 1922.
DESCRIPTION:--A small shrub 45-60 cm. high. _Branches_ ribbed, villous.
_Leaves_ opposite, 7-14 cm. long, bipinnate; the ultimate leaflets about
2 cm. long, pinnately lobed; lobes linear, acute, villous; petiole
concave above, convex beneath, villous. _Peduncle_ axillary and
terminal, 3-8 cm. long, densely villous. _Sepals_ 2 cm. long, 1·5 cm.
broad, obovate, densely villous without and within. _Filaments_ 8 mm.
long, linear, pilose; anthers 4 mm. long. _Style_ 1·2 cm. long, densely
plumose. _Fruits_ densely villous terminated by the persistent plumose
style.
PLATE 81.--Fig. 1, stamens, front and side view; Fig. 2, a single
carpel; Fig. 3, fruits with the persistent styles.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _82._
K. A. Lansdell del]
PLATE 82.
MIMETES HOTTENTOTICA.
_Cape Province._
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
MIMETES, _Salisb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 171.
=Mimetes hottentotica=, _Phillips et Hutchinson_, sp. nov. insignis
et affinitate _M. saxatili_ Phill. foliis late ellipticis,
capitulis paucis stigmate excavato differt.
_Rami_ tomentosi et sparse villosi. _Folia_ 4·5-7·5 cm. longa,
2·2-3·5 cm. lata, elliptica, apice tridentata, dense pubescentia
pilis sericeis. _Capitula_ sessilia, 7·5 cm. longa, 8-12-flora,
apice ramorum conferta. _Involucri_ bracteae 3-seriatae, 1·7-2 cm.
longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolato-ovatae, lineares, vel
lineari-lanceolatae, obtusae vel subacutae, villosae, ciliatae.
_Segmenta perianthii_ 3·2 cm. longa, linearia, paullo lata,
villosa; limbus 6 mm. longus, obovatus, subacuminatus, apice
obtusus, villosus. _Antherae_ 2·5 mm. longae, apice obtusae.
_Squamae hypogynae_ 3 mm. longae, lineares, apice subacutae.
_Ovarium_ 1 mm. longum, villosum; stylus 6·5 mm. longus, glaber;
stigma 4 mm. longum, obovoideum, apice obtusum, excavatum.
SOUTH AFRICA: Caledon Division. Hottentot’s Holland Mountains near
Hangklip, _T. P. Stokoe in National Herbarium_, 1641.
Mr. T. P. Stokoe, to whom we are indebted for so many of the interesting
plants figured in earlier plates of this work, has again contributed two
exquisite species of _Mimetes_ which are both undescribed.
Unfortunately, it was not possible at the time to figure both plants,
but we hope to publish a figure and description of the second species in
our next volume. The genus, which is represented by nine species, falls
into two well-defined groups, (_a_) those with an ovoid stigma
(represented by _M. capitulata_, figured on Plate 58) and (_b_) those
species with a linear stigma (represented by _M. palustris_, figured on
Plate 36). Hitherto only two species of the first group were known, but
these recent acquisitions from Mr. Stokoe increases this number to four.
The species figured in the accompanying plate was found on the
Hottentot’s Holland Mountains S.E. of Kogelberg and was growing on the
banks of a steep, fairly moist slope. When fresh, it is a most beautiful
object, certainly one of the most handsome species of the genus. The
styles are bright red, white just below the stigma, and the stigma
brownish-black. It is characterised by the regular excavations on the
surface of the stigma which appear to be receptacles for the pollen
grains.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No.
1641).
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ minutely tomentose but also sparsely
covered with long lax hairs. _Leaves_ 4·5-7·5 cm. long, 2·2-3·5 cm.
broad, elliptic, with a blunt 3-toothed callous apex, densely
adpressed-pubescent with silky hairs. _Heads_ sessile, 7·5 cm. long
including the styles, 8-12-flowered, solitary in the axils of the leaves
at the ends of the branches. _Involucral-bracts_ 3-seriate; the outer
1·7 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, lanceolate-ovate, obtuse, villous
without, long-ciliate; inner 2 cm. long, 3 mm. broad, linear or
linear-lanceolate, sub-acute, villous without, long-ciliate.
_Receptacle_ villous. _Perianth_ divided almost to the base; segments
3·2 cm. long, linear-filiform, slightly broadened at the base, villous;
limb 6 mm. long, obovate, subacuminate, obtuse, villous. _Anthers_
sessile, 2·5 mm. long, obtuse. _Hypogynous scales_ 3 mm. long, linear
subacute. _Ovary_ about 1 mm. long, hairy at base; style 6·5 mm. long,
cylindric, glabrous; stigma 4 mm. long, obovoid, obtuse, with several
depressions on the sides.
PLATE 82.--Fig. 1, a single head; Fig. 2, bracts; Figs. 3, 4, a
single flower; Fig. 5, perianth-segment enlarged; Fig. 6, stigma
enlarged.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _83._
K. A. Lansdell del]
PLATE 83.
SENECIO MEDLEY-WOODII.
_Natal._
COMPOSITAE. Tribe SENECIONIDEAE.
SENECIO, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 446.
=Senecio Medley-Woodii=, _Hutchinson_, sp. nov. succulenta caule crasso,
foliis carnosis dentatis lanato-pubescentibus, capitulis speciosis
flavis distincta.
_Rami_ succulenti, purpurei, juniores lanati, demum glabri. _Folia_
sessilia, 3·5-5 cm. longa, 1·5-3 cm. lata, obovata, breviter apiculata,
basi cuneata, superne undulato-dentata, primum lanata, demum plus
minusve glabra. _Capitula_ racemoso-corymbosa, 13-14-flora, 19 cm.
longa; pedunculi ultimi 3-6 cm. longi, lanati. _Involucri bracteae_
1·2-1·5 cm. longae, 3-6 mm. latae, lanceolatae ad elliptico-ovatae,
obtusae, marginibus membranaceis, extra lanato-tomentosae.
_Receptaculum_ planum, 8 mm. latum, foveolatum. _Flores radii_ flavi;
limbus 1·5 cm. longus, 5 mm. latus, oblongus, 6-8-nervus, apice minute
tridentatus; ovarium glabrum. _Flores disci_ brunneo-flavi; pappus 1 cm.
longus; corollae tubus 1·2 cm. longus, glaber. _Achaenia_ glabra.
This is one of the shrubby species of _Senecio_ with succulent stems
found in Natal. In cultivation it makes an ornamental shrub having very
large yellow-rayed heads. The species was first collected by the late
Dr. Medley Wood at Murchison in Natal in 1884 (_Wood_ 3065), and was
brought to him from Krantzkloof in August 1915. Dr. Wood had an
illustration made for vol. vii of the “Natal Plants,” but did not draw
up a description, as specimens were sent to Kew for identification. The
present illustration was made from a specimen which flowered in the
garden of the Natal Herbarium. This species was the last which Dr.
Medley Wood worked at the day before his death.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No.
1604).
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ succulent, woolly when young, at length
becoming glabrous. _Leaves_ sessile, 3·5-5 cm. long, 1·5-3 cm. broad
above, obovate, shortly apiculate, cuneate at the base, with the
margins more or less undulate and sometimes toothed in the upper half,
woolly when young, at length becoming more or less glabrous.
_Inflorescence_ terminal, peduncled, 13-14-flowered, racemose-corymbose,
19cm. long; common peduncle 10 cm. long, woolly; ultimate peduncles
3-6cm. long, few-bracteate, woolly. _Bracts_ 1·5-2cm. long, linear,
obtuse, woolly. _Involucral-scales_ 1·2-1·5cm. long, 3-6 mm. broad,
lanceolate to elliptic-ovate, obtuse, with more or less membranous
margins, woolly-tomentose without. _Receptacle_ flat, 8mm. broad,
honeycombed. _Ray-flowers_ pale yellow. _Corolla-tube_ 6mm. long,
cylindric; limb 1·5cm. long, 5mm. broad, oblong, 6-8-nerved, minutely
3-toothed at the apex. _Pappus_ 9mm. long; setae very minutely
barbellate. _Ovary_ 4mm. long, linear in outline, glabrous; style 8mm.
long, cylindric, somewhat thickened at the base; lobes 2mm. long, linear
obtuse. _Disc-flowers_ brownish-yellow. _Pappus_ 1cm. long, very
minutely barbellate. _Corolla-tube_ 1·2cm. long, gradually widening
upwards, glabrous; lobes 1·5mm. long, ovate, obtuse. _Filaments_
inserted at the constricted portions of the corolla-tube, 6mm. long,
linear, slightly broadened below the anthers; anthers 4mm. long, with a
short ovate appendage, blunt at the base. _Ovary_ 4·5mm. long, linear in
outline, glabrous; style 1·1cm. long, cylindric; lobes 2mm. long, flat
on the inner face, convex on the back, truncate and shortly bristly at
the apex.
PLATE 83.--Fig. 1, ray-flower; Fig. 2, disc-flower; Fig. 3, upper
portion of style with lobes; Figs. 4, 5, involucral bracts; Fig. 6,
fruit.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _84._
S. Gower del]
PLATE 84.
PROTEA COMPACTA.
_Cape Province._
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE
PROTEA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 169.
=Protea compacta=, _R. Br. in Trans. Linn. Soc._ vol. x. 76; _Fl. Cap._
vol. v. sect. i. p. 570.
We have previously figured two species of _Protea_ belonging to
different sections of the genus. On Plate 22 will be found _P.
abyssinica_ (§ _Lasiocephalae_) with a large head not contracted into a
scaly peduncle at the base, while on Plate 76 we figured _P. recondita_
(§ _Leiocephalae_) with a smaller head and a scaly peduncle. Our present
plant belongs to quite a separate section (_Ligulatae_), which is
characterised by the inner involucral bracts being produced into a long
claw with an oblong or oblanceolate limb. _Protea compacta_ is a common
plant in some parts of the Cape Province, especially in the Caledon
Division, but is also found in parts of the Cape and Stellenbosch
Divisions, and a single specimen, collected by Zeyher, has been recorded
from the van Staden’s Mountains. In its natural habitat it is a bush 4-6
ft. high with brilliant pink bracts partly surrounded by the uppermost
leaves, and in many localities the flowering bush is one of the features
of the landscape. Like many other species of _Protea_ in the Cape
Province, this species is visited by a large coleopterous beetle.
Our plant was collected by Dr. I. B. Pole Evans, C.M.G., at Hawston in
the Caledon Division, where it is found growing on white sandy soil. The
species has been established in cultivation at the National Botanic
Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and is doing remarkably well there. Specimens are
preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2577).
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ finely tomentellous, at length glabrous.
_Leaves_ 3¼-4½ in. long, ¾-1½ in. broad, strongly imbricate, ovate to
ovate-lanceolate or elliptic-oblong, obtuse with a callous point,
sub-cordate or rounded or slightly narrowed at the base, coriaceous,
prominently veined, glabrous, with the margins shortly villous or at
length glabrous. _Head_ sessile, 4 in. long, about 2½ in. in diameter.
_Involucral-bracts_ 8-seriate; outer ovate, obtuse, villous-pubescent or
more or less glabrescent, with a dense fringe of woolly hairs; inner
more or less flesh-colour to carmine with an oblong limb and a linear
claw, finely villous-tomentose, tips densely ciliate, exceeding the
flowers. _Perianth-sheath_ 2 in. long, dilated, 5-nerved and 3-keeled
below, finely tomentose, glabrous at the base; lip over 1 in. long,
3-awned, lateral awns 3-4½ in. long, filiform, flexuous, tawny to
purplish-tomentose; median awn 1 in. long, filiform. _Fertile stamens_
3, sub-sessile; filaments ¾ in. long, flattened; anthers linear, 4½ in.
long; apical gland almost 1 in. long, lanceolate-oblong; barren stamen
4½ in. long, linear, eglandular. _Ovary_ 1 in. long, oblong, densely
covered with long light-golden hairs; style 2 in. long, finely grooved
on the convex side, glabrous; stigma 2½ in. long, linear, obtuse,
strongly keeled and bent at the junction with the style.
PLATE 84.--Fig. 1, longitudinal section of receptacle; Fig. 2,
surface view of portion of receptacle; Fig. 3, an outermost bract;
Fig. 4, inner bract; Fig. 5, a single flower; Fig. 6, ovary and
base of style; Fig. 7, stigma and upper part of style.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _85._
S. Gower del.]
PLATE 85.
GERBERA PLANTAGINEA.
_Transvaal._
COMPOSITAE. Tribe MUTISIEAE.
GERBERA, _Gronov._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 497.
=Gerbera plantaginea=, _Harv. in Fl. Cap._ vol. ii. p. 522.
In an earlier part, on Plate 64, we figured a Transvaal plant, _Gazania
pygmaea_, and stated it to be one of the first species to flower on
burnt veld. The plant illustrated here is usually contemporary with the
above, and before any of the other veld plants show signs of growth
numerous inflorescences of _Gerbera plantaginea_ may be seen pushing
through the hard surface of the soil. The underground rootstock is well
adapted to withstand the long, dry winter months, and can store up
sufficient moisture to commence growth before the first summer rains
begin. The plant is usually found growing in small colonies, and the
colour of the ray-florets varies from pure white to yellow and through
various shades of pink to red. Like _Gazania pygmaea_, this species was
found by Burke and Zeyher on the Magaliesberg about the year 1841, and
Harvey, in the “Flora Capensis,” based his description on their
specimen. We are indebted to Mr. D. Fouche for the specimens which were
collected near Meintjes Kopje, Pretoria. They are preserved in the
National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 2580).
DESCRIPTION:--An acaulescent plant with an underground rhizome with a
woolly crown and thick cylindric roots. _Leaves_ 4·5-13cm. long,
0·8-2·2cm. broad, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, subacute, narrowed
into a petiole at the base, with the midrib and lateral veins distinct
beneath, and with entire or sub-denticulate margins, pilose above and
beneath. _Peduncle_ 11-27cm. long, naked, densely tomentose, at length
becoming sparsely tomentose. _Heads_ solitary, 3-4cm. in diameter.
_Involucral-bracts_ in 3 rows, all tomentose; the outer 7 mm. long, 1·5
mm. broad at the base, tapering to an acute point; the inner 1 cm. long,
2 mm. broad, lanceolate, acuminate, acute. _Receptacle_ slightly convex,
honeycombed. _Ray-flowers_ in two rows; the outer with a strap-shaped
limb 1 cm. long, 2·5 mm. broad, about 6-nerved, minutely 2-3-toothed at
the apex and with the lower lip represented by 4 linear appendages 1·5-2
mm. long, the two outer narrower than the two inner. _Pappus_ 6 mm.
long, longer than the tube. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, oblong, pilose; style 8
mm. long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, glandular (lobes sometimes
three); inner ray-flowers similar to the outer but limb 4·5 mm. long,
0·75 mm. broad. _Disc-flowers_ hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 4·5 mm.
long, cylindric; lobes 3 mm. long, 0·5 mm. broad, linear, obtuse.
_Anthers_ 5 mm. long, linear, obtuse, long-tailed at the base. _Pappus_
6 mm. long. _Ovary_ 3 mm. long, terete, almost glabrous; style 6 mm.
long, cylindric; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse.
PLATE 85.--Fig. 1, longitudinal section through head showing the
convex receptacle; Fig. 2, a ray-floret; Fig. 3, a disc-floret;
Fig. 4, upper portion of corolla of disc-floret; Fig. 5, apices of
lips of disc-floret; Fig. 6, stamens; Fig. 7, upper portion of
style of disc-floret showing the two lobes.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _86._]
PLATE 86.
ALOE VARIEGATA.
_Cape Province._
LILIACEAE. Tribe ALOINEAE.
ALOE, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 776.
=Aloe variegata=, _Linn. Sp. Pl._ vol. i. p. 321; _Fl. Cap._ vol. vi. p. 328.
The _Aloe_ here represented differs from any we have previously
illustrated by having the leaves arranged in three ranks which may
become spirally twisted. In the “Flora Capensis” this character is used
to distinguish a sub-genus “Gonialoe” which contains only the species
_A. variegata_. The species is one of the oldest and most common aloes
in cultivation. A coloured illustration appeared in the _Botanical
Magazine_ (t. 513) in 1801, and it is recorded that a Mr. Fairchild had
the species growing in England in 1720. For some reason the plant is not
well represented in European herbaria, as even in 1897, when the genus
was published in the “Flora Capensis,” the precise localities in which
the species occurs in South Africa remained doubtful. The traveller and
botanist, Carl Thunberg, collected the plant about 1772, and according
to Mr. N. E. Brown it is represented in the Thunberg herbarium by “two
leaves with the variegation on them well preserved, and a single
flower.”
The species is easy of cultivation and is propagated by means of suckers
which send up small plants. From the plant in cultivation at Pretoria,
four offshoots have developed in one season.
We are enabled to figure this plant through the courtesy of Mrs. E.
Rood, of Van Rhynsdorp, who forwarded us the living plant, which
flowered at Pretoria in July 1922. Specimens are preserved in the
National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2575).
DESCRIPTION:--An acaulescent plant. _Leaves_ in three rows sometimes
slightly spirally twisted, with irregular greenish-white bands on a
dark green background; the lower leaves 8-10 cm. long, about 3·5 cm.
broad, ovate, mucronate, almost flat above, keeled beneath, rough with
small tubercles on the keel and margins; the inner leaves 14-23 cm.
long, ovate-lanceolate, mucronate, concave on the inner face, keeled
beneath, rough with small tubercles on the keel and margins.
_Inflorescence_ from the axil of one of the lower leaves; peduncle 40
cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter, terete, with about 8 barren bracts below
the flowers which occupy the uppermost 11 cm. of the peduncle. _Flowers_
at first erect, then horizontal, then pendulous when mature. _Bracts_
1·2 cm. long, 6 mm. broad, long-acuminate, acute, longer than the
pedicels, white, with a greenish-brown keel. _Pedicels_ 5 mm. long,
terete, glabrous. _Perianth-tube_ 4 cm. long, 9 mm. in diameter,
tubular, slightly ventricose and oblique at the base; lobes 9 mm. long,
5 mm. broad, obovate. _Stamens_ attached to the base of the perianth;
filaments 4·5 cm. long, terete; anthers 2·5 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ 6
mm. long, 3 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid; style 4 cm. long, terete; stigma
minutely 3-lobed.
PLATE 86.--Fig. 1, bract; Fig. 2, bud; Fig. 3, mature flower; Fig.
4, upper part of perianth laid open; Fig. 5, stamen; Fig. 6,
pistil; Fig. 7, cross-section of leaf. N.B.--In the coloured
drawing the leaves are half natural size, but the inflorescence is
natural size.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _87._
S Gower del.]
PLATE 87.
CERATOTHECA TRILOBA.
_Bechuanaland_, _Cape Province_, _Natal_, _Transvaal_.
PEDALLACEAE. Tribe SESAMEAE.
CERATOTHECA, _Endl._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 1059.
=Ceratotheca triloba=, _E. Mey. ex Bernh. in Linnaea_, vol. xvi. 29;
_Fl. Cap._ vol. iv. sect. ii. p. 462.
The genus _Ceratotheca_, of which there are five species known, is
confined to Africa, but the species figured in the accompanying plate is
the only one recorded in South Africa. The genus is closely related to
_Sesamum_, only differing by the capsule having two divergent horns or
spines at the apex instead of being acute or beaked as in the latter
genus. The species was first described in 1842 under the name
_Sporledera triloba_, but, as pointed out in the _Botanical Magazine_
under Tab. 6974, there is no justification for establishing a genus to
include this species separate from _Ceratotheca_. The oldest record from
South Africa appears to be specimens collected by Drège between the
Umtata and St. John’s River, but since then it has been found by
numerous collectors. When fresh, the leaves have a very objectionable
odour. The plant is very common during January on the hills at
Wonderboom, near Pretoria. Our specimen was collected by Dr. R. Reitz.
Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 1605).
DESCRIPTION:--An herbaceous plant with erect stems, sometimes 6 ft.
high, simple or branched. _Stems_ obtusely 4-angled, glandular-pilose.
_Leaves_ opposite, sometimes alternate, petiolate; petioles 0·5-5 cm.
long, grooved above, convex beneath, glandular-pilose; lamina 2-6·5 cm.
long, ovate, more or less 3-lobed with the lobes crenate (the uppermost
leaves not lobed), cordate at the base, palmately veined, with the veins
prominent beneath, depressed above, glandular-pubescent. _Flowers_
solitary, axillary, with often two abortive flowers in the same
leaf-axil. _Pedicels_ 5 mm. long, terete, glandular-pilose. _Calyx_
divided almost to the base; the lobes erect, 0·8-1 cm. long, lanceolate,
acuminate, sub-obtuse, glandular-pilose; the anterior lobe the smallest.
_Corolla-tube_ 3·5 cm. long, ventricose at the base, then slightly
constricted and widening into a broad campanulate portion 1·4 cm.
diameter, glandular-pilose; lobes 0·8 cm. long, about 1 cm. broad,
transversely oblong, rounded above; the posterior lobe longer. _Stamens_
of two different lengths, inserted above the ventricose portion of the
corolla-tube; filaments 0·9-1·3 cm. long, glabrous; anthers 5 mm. long,
linear. _Ovary_ 6 mm. long, oblong in outline, densely villous, with 2
divergent horns at the apex; style 1·8 cm. long, terete, glabrous;
stigmas recurved, papillose. _Fruit_ 2 cm. long, oblong, with 2
divergent horns, glandular-pilose.
PLATE 87.--Fig. 1, portion of flowering branch; Fig. 2, corolla
laid open; Fig. 3, pistil; Fig. 4, cross-section of ovary; Fig. 5,
stigmas; Fig. 6, stamens and anther; Fig. 7, fruits; Fig. 8, fruit
dehisced; Fig. 9, leaf; Figs. 10, 11, abortive flowers.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _88._
S Gower del.]
PLATE 88.
DICOMA ZEYHERI.
_Transvaal. Zululand._
COMPOSITAE. Tribe MUTISIEAE.
DICOMA, _Cass._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 492.
=Dicoma Zeyheri=, _Cass. in Linn._ vol. xxiii. p. 71; _Fl. Cap._ vol.
iii. p. 518.
The genus _Dicoma_ comprises a small group of half-woody shrubs with
acuminate usually pungent involucral-bracts. About twenty-five species
are known, most of which are found in Tropical and South Africa, one
extending into Western India. There is also a peculiar species, _D.
cana_, in the island of Socotra. The tribe _Mutisieae_, to which
_Dicoma_ belongs, is but sparingly represented in Africa and has its
head-quarters in South America.
Our present plant is common in parts of the Transvaal Highveld, and is
found in flower from January to March. It has also been collected at
Barberton by Mr. E. E. Galpin. Like so many of the shrubby plants
occurring in the grass-veld, it has deep underground roots from which
the stems arise, but, unlike the majority of them, is one of the last to
flower.
The specimen from which this plate was prepared was collected by Miss S.
Gower near the Botanical Laboratories, Pretoria. Specimens are preserved
in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (No. 2581).
DESCRIPTION:--A somewhat woody undershrub about 30 cm. high with deep
underground roots. _Stems_ striate, cobwebby. _Leaves_ 5·5-7 cm. long,
1-1·7 cm. broad, lanceolate, acute, or obtuse, sometimes subacuminate,
slightly broadened and half-clasping at the base, usually entire, more
rarely minutely and remotely toothed, glabrous above, cobwebby beneath.
_Capitulum_ shortly peduncled, about 5 cm. in diameter when expanded.
_Involucral-bracts_ in about 8 rows, the outermost strongly reflexed,
the rest erect spreading, 1·5-2·5 cm. long, 4-9 mm. broad, ovate,
acuminate, pungent, with membranous margins (except the outermost); the
innermost bracts erect, closely enveloping the flowers, almost wholly
membranous. _Involucre_ 1·5 cm. in diameter, slightly convex, deeply
honeycombed. _Flowers_ all hermaphrodite. _Corolla-tube_ 6 mm. long,
cylindric for 5 mm. then suddenly campanulate, glabrous; lobes 4·5 mm.
long, linear, gradually tapering upwards, obtuse, recurved in open
flowers. _Stamens_ inserted at the widened portion of the corolla-tube;
filaments 1·5 mm. long, linear; anthers 7·5 mm. long, linear,
lanceolate, acute at the apex, long-tailed at the base; tails hairy with
ascending hairs. _Ovary_ densely villous; style 1·5 cm. long, cylindric,
glabrous; lobes 0·5 mm. long, ovate, obtuse, convex and hairy on outer
side. _Pappus_ 9 mm. long, dense and completely hiding the corolla-tube;
setae long, plumose.
PLATE 88.--Fig. 1, longitudinal section of head; Fig. 2, surface
view of part of receptacle; Fig. 3, involucral-bract; Fig. 4, an
inner involucral-bract; Fig. 5, disc-floret before style appears;
Fig. 6, disc-floret with style through the stamens; Fig. 7,
disc-floret with pappus removed; Fig. 8, stamen; Fig. 9, apex of
style; Fig. 10, a single pappus bristle; Fig. 11, portion of a leaf
showing the minute teeth on the margin.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _89._
K A Lansdell del]
PLATE 89.
HYOBANCHE FULLERI.
_Natal._
SCROPHULARIACEAE. Tribe GERARDIEAE.
HYOBANCHE, _Thunb._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 968.
=Hyobanche Fulleri=, _Phillips_, sp. nov. _Stipes_ succulentus.
_Folia_ 1·4 cm. longa, superne 6 mm. lata, spathulata, apice
obtusa, externe glanduloso-villosa. _Inflorescentia_ ad 13 cm.
longa, 3 cm. lata. _Bracteae_ 2·5 cm. longae, superne 6 mm. latae,
spathulatae, externe glanduloso-pilosae, 3-nervosae; bracteolae 2,
2·5 cm. longae, 2 mm. latae, lineares, apice subacutae.
_Pedicellus_ 3 mm. longus, 3 mm. latus, carnosus. _Calyx_
inaequalis; segmentum infimum 3 mm. longum, lineare; cetera 2·5 cm.
longa, pilosa. _Corolla_ leviter curvata, 3·5 cm. longa, 7 mm.
lata, superne viscido-pilosa. _Filimenta_ 2·4 cm. longa. _Ovarium_
4 mm. longum, globosum, glabrum; stylus 2·7 cm. longus, superne
curvatus; stigma clavatum.
This new _Hyobanche_ is the only recorded species for Natal. Bews
(“Flora of Natal and Zululand”) records _H. sanguinea_ from Umzumbi, but
we suspect it is the species here described. It was first collected by
the late Dr. J. Medley Wood (Herb. Natal 11002) at Karridene Beach, and
recently Mr. Claude Fuller of Pretoria forwarded living specimens from
the same locality. Mr. Fuller was unable to determine the host on which
the parasite grew. It differs from _H. sanguinea_, as from all the other
known South African species, in having the lowest calyx segment very
much shorter than the others. The genus _Hyobanche_ is very closely
related to _Harveya_, a species (_Harveya squamosa_) of which is figured
on Plate 67. Species of the two genera can easily be distinguished by an
examination of the stamens. In _Hyobanche_ the anthers are one-celled,
while in _Harveya_ the anthers are two-celled but only one cell contains
pollen. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria
(Herb. No. 1643).
DESCRIPTION:--A parasitic herb. _Stem_ fleshy. _Leaves_ adpressed, 1·4
cm. long, 6 mm. broad above, spathulate, obtuse, glandular-villous
without. _Inflorescence_ up to 13 cm. long, 3 cm. in diameter; axis
fleshy. _Bracts_ 2·5 cm. long, 0·6 cm. broad above, spathulate, densely
glandular-pilose without, 3-nerved above; bracteoles 2, 2·5 cm. long, 2
mm. broad, linear, subacute, narrowing at the base. _Pedicels_ 3 mm.
long, 3 mm. in diameter, fleshy. _Calyx_ unequal; the anterior segment 3
mm. long, linear; the lateral and posterior segments 2·5 cm. long,
pilose without. _Corolla_ slightly curved, 3·5 cm. long, 7 mm. in
diameter, viscously pilose without in the upper half; mouth a
longitudinal slit, about 1 cm. long, more or less opening out upwards by
a recurving of the margins which indicates the presence of a hooded
faintly two-lobed upper lip and a very obscure lower lip split to the
base. _Filaments_ 2·4 cm. long, attached near base of corolla-tube.
_Ovary_ 4 mm. long, 4 mm. in diameter, globose, glabrous; style 2·7 cm.
long, terete, gradually thickening and sharply curved above, glabrous;
stigma clavate.
PLATE 89.--Fig. 1, young inflorescence; Fig. 2, longitudinal
section of inflorescence; Fig. 3, underground stem with young
inflorescence; Fig. 4, flower, with bract and two bracteoles; Fig.
5, bract, front and side view; Fig. 6, calyx; Fig. 7, bracteole;
Fig. 8, corolla; Fig. 9, gynæcium; Fig. 10, leaf; Fig. 11, upper
portion of corolla, side view; Fig. 12, upper portion of corolla,
front view.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration _90._
S Gower del.]
PLATE 90.
ROMULEA AUSTINII.
_Cape Province._
IRIDACEAE. Tribe SISYRINCHIEAE.
ROMULEA, _Maratti_; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. iii. p. 695.
=Romulea Austinii=, _Phillips_, sp. nov.; affinis _R. hirsutae_,
Eck., sed floribus aurantiacis, bractea interior marginibus latis
membranaceis differt.
_Cormi_ 1·5 cm. longi, 1·2 cm. diametro, tunicis brunneis obtecti.
_Folia_ 3 vel 4, lineari-filiformia, acuta, 4-10 cm. longa, 0·75
mm. lata, profunde sulcata, basi vaginata. _Flores_ 2-3-nati;
pedicelli 1·2 cm. longi, subteretes, glabri, demum spiraliter
curvati. _Valva_ exterior elliptico-oblonga, herbacea, apice
dentata, 9 mm. longa, 4 mm. lata, 9-nervia, marginibus angustis
membranaceis, interior subaequalis, apice bifida, 5-6-nervia,
marginibus latissime membranaceis. _Perianthii tubus_ campanulatus,
5-6 mm. longus, lobis 1·5 cm. longis 0·7 cm. latis obovatis obtusis
interioribus aurantiacis exterioribus purpureo notatis. _Filamenta_
9 mm. longa, basi explanata et pilosa, medio dorso pilosa; antherae
4 mm. longae, 2 mm. latae, ellipsoideae, primum leviter connatae.
_Ovarium_ subglobosum; stylus 1 cm. longus, teres, glaber, ramis
3·5 mm. longis bifidis.
SOUTH AFRICA: Matjesfontein, _A. J. Austin_.
We are indebted to Mr. A. J. Austin for this charming little species of
_Romulea_, which is apparently undescribed. It was gathered at
Matjesfontein. The same species was collected a few years ago by
Schlechter (No. 8847) at Matjes River at an altitude of 2500 feet, and
distributed by him as _Romulea hirsuta_, Eckl., var. _aurantiaca_.
Although resembling _R. hirsuta_ in general appearance, it is easily
distinguished by the colour of the flowers and especially by the very
broadly membranous margins of the inner spathe valve. The flowers close
up at night.
Our knowledge of the genus _Romulea_ in South Africa is still very
meagre, and much field-work is necessary in order to understand the
range and variability of the species.
DESCRIPTION:--_Corms_ 1·5 cm. long, 1·2 cm. in diameter with brown
tunics. _Leaves_ 3-4 to a corm, 4-10 cm. long, 0·75 mm. broad, with five
deep and narrow grooves, acute, somewhat sheathing at the base and
forming a distinct neck, minutely ciliate. _Flowers_ 2-3 to a spathe.
_Pedicels_ 1·2 cm. long, subterete, glabrous, becoming spirally coiled
in old flowers. _Outer spathe valve_ 9 mm. long, 4 mm. broad,
elliptic-oblong, toothed at the apex, 9-nerved, with membranous margins;
inner spathe valve about same size as outer, deeply bifid at the apex,
5-6-nerved with very broad membranous margins. _Perianth-tube_ 5-6 mm.
long, campanulate; lobes 1·5 cm. long, 0·7 cm. broad, obovate, obtuse,
reflexed in the open flower, yellow in colour with a spade-like purple
mark on the three outer and smaller purple marks on the three inner.
_Filaments_ 9 mm. long, convex on the back, grooved on the front face,
broadened and pilose at the base, pilose on back about the middle;
anthers 4 mm. long, 2 mm. broad, elliptic, in flowers which have just
opened the anthers are somewhat joined and the stigmas appear between
the anthers. Ovary subglobose; style 1 cm. long, terete, glabrous; lobes
3·5 mm. long, each subdivided into 2 lobes 2 mm. long.
PLATE 90.--Fig. 1, leaf; Fig. 1_a_, section of leaf; Fig. 2, spathe
valve; Fig. 3, perianth from outside; Fig. 4, same from above; Fig.
5, section of flower; Fig. 6, stamen; Fig. 7, base of filament;
Fig. 8, anther (front); Fig. 9, anther (back); Fig. 10, style; Fig.
11, inner valve.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _91._
S. Gower del.]
PLATE 91.
LACHENALIA ROODEAE.
_Cape Province._
LILIACEAE. Tribe SCILLEAE.
LACHENALIA, _Jacq._; _Benth. et Hook. f._ vol. iii. p. 807.
=Lachenalia Roodeae=, _Phillips_, sp. nov.
_Bulbus_ 2·5 cm. longus, 1·8 cm. latus. _Folia_ 2, 7-14 cm. longa,
basi 2-4 cm. lata, ovato-lanceolata, apice obtusa, aliquando
mucronata, glabra. _Pedunculus_ 2-3·5 cm. longus, c. 7 cm. latus.
_Inflorescentia_ spicata, 9-14 cm. longa. _Bracteae_ c. 1 mm.
longae, ovatae, apice obtusae. _Pedicellus_ c. 1 mm. longus. _Flos_
1-1·2 cm. longus, campanulatus, basi obliquus; lobi exteriores 8
mm. longi, 4·75 mm. lati, oblongo-ovati, apice obtusi; lobi
interiores 1 cm. longi, 4·5 mm. lati, oblongo-obovati, apice
rotundi. _Stamina_ exserta; filamenta 1·2 cm. longa; antherae 1·5
mm. longae, oblongae. _Ovarium_ 3·5 mm. longum, 2·5 mm. latum,
trigonum; stylus 1·1 cm. longus, teres; stigma minute 3-lobatum.
Van Rhynsdorp District: Van Rhynsdorp, _Mrs. E. Rood_ in _National
Herbarium Pretoria_, 1461.
This extremely fine species of _Lachenalia_ was sent to the Division of
Botany by Mrs. E. Rood of Van Rhynsdorp, who states that the plant is
quite common there. It belongs to an endemic South African genus of
about fifty species, and surpasses any other species known to us in the
rich colouring of the flowers. It flowers during August and September,
and should make a welcome addition to the bulb garden as one of the
earlier flowering species. There has been some doubt about the identity
of this plant, and we were inclined to regard it as _L. carnosa_, Baker,
which was collected by Drège in Little Namaqualand. Mr. N. E. Brown, of
Kew, very kindly examined the plate, and is of the opinion that it is
not this species, and that nothing like it is in the Kew Herbarium. It,
however, is very near _L. carnosa_, Baker, but may be distinguished from
this species in the inner perianth segments being longer than the outer
and in the far exserted stamens. This latter character is not constant,
as we find after examining a large series of specimens that the length
to which the stamens are exserted from the perianth depends on the age
of the flower. The stamens are in more or less two unilateral rows, the
lower three ripening before the upper three.
DESCRIPTION:--_Bulb_ 2·5 cm. long, 1·8 cm. in diameter, ovoid, covered
with black membranous tunics with many fibrous roots from the base.
_Leaves_ 2, erect-spreading, 7-14 cm. long, 2-4 cm. broad in the widest
part; the outer leaf always larger than the inner leaf,
ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, sometimes mucronate, narrowed and clasping at
the base, with reddish margins, glabrous. _Peduncle_ 2-3·5 cm. long,
about 7 mm. in diameter, partially hidden by the clasping leaf bases.
_Inflorescence_ a dense many-flowered spike, 9-14 cm. long; axis fleshy,
up to 8 cm. in diameter at the base, narrowing upwards, with a number of
facets, each facet bearing a flower at the base. _Bracts_ about 1 mm.
long, ovate, obtuse, forming a small pocket from which the flower
arises. _Flowers_ subsessile; pedicels about 1 mm. long. _Perianth_
purplish, 1-1·2 cm. long, campanulate, oblique at the base; tube about 3
mm. long, about 5 mm. in diameter above; lobes of outer segments 8 mm.
long, 4·75 mm. broad, oblong-ovate, obtuse, rostrate on the outer
surface just beneath the apex; lobes of the inner segments 1 cm. long,
4·5 mm. broad above, oblong-obovate, rounded above. _Stamens_ exserted,
attached to base of the perianth segments; filaments 1·2 cm. long,
terete; anthers 1·5 mm. long, oblong. _Ovary_ 3·5 mm. long, 2·5 mm. in
diameter, oblong in outline, trigonous; style 1·1 cm. long, terete,
stigma very faintly 3-lobed.
PLATE 91.--Fig. 1, base of leaves; Fig. 2, axis of inflorescence
showing the small cups in which the flowers are situated; Fig. 3, a
single flower; Fig. 4, perianth laid open; Fig. 5, apices of outer
perianth segments; Fig. 6, apex of an inner perianth segment. Fig.
7, stamens; Fig. 8, pistil.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: _92._
S. Gower del.]
PLATE 92.
BRUNIA STOKOEI.
_Cape Province._
BRUNIACEAE.
BRUNIA, _Linn._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. i. p. 671.
=Brunia Stokoei=, _Phillips_ in _Kew Bulletin_, 1923, _ined._
This is the first occasion upon which we have had an opportunity of
figuring a member of the Natural Order _Bruniaceae_, which is one of the
endemic South African families. The _Bruniaceae_ comprise about fifty
species, all confined to the south-western portion of the Cape Province.
The genera _Brunia_ and _Berzelia_ often form a conspicuous feature in
the landscape in some areas, the spherical heads of white flowers making
the bushes noticeable amongst the surrounding vegetation.
The species figured here was collected in 1922 by Mr. T. P. Stokoe on
the Hottentot Hollands Mountains near Hang Klip, and forwarded by him to
the Division of Botany, Pretoria. Near the same locality Mr. Stokoe
discovered another species of _Brunia_, which is undescribed. We do not
know of either of these species having been previously collected, and
the fact that undescribed and rare plants have recently been found on
such a well-known mountain range as the Hottentot Hollands, proves that
there must be a large area, within easy reach of Cape Town, which has
not yet been thoroughly botanically explored.
DESCRIPTION:--_Branches_ glabrous. _Leaves_ spreading 7-8 mm. long, 1
mm. broad, trigonous, almost flat above with a raised mid-rib, keeled
beneath, obtuse, tipped with a small black globose mucro, the angles of
the leaves when viewed by transmitted light are pellucid, glabrous.
_Inflorescence_ a stalked globose head arranged in groups up the
branches. _Peduncles_ 2-3 cm. long, 5-7 mm. in diameter, surrounded by
adpressed imbricated bracts 3 mm. long, 1 mm. broad, lanceolate, obtuse,
keeled below, glabrous. _Axis_ of inflorescence 1·2-1·5 cm. long, 7-9
mm. in diameter, more or less ovate in longitudinal section.
_Floral-bracts_ 7 mm. long, obovate-spathulate, subacuminate, tipped
with a black mucro, bent almost at right angles above, densely villous
on back in the middle third. _Calyx_ of 4 sepals, 4·5 mm. long; 3 sepals
narrow-linear, the fourth oblanceolate, all densely villous without.
_Petals_ 5·5 mm. long, ·75 mm. broad, linear, with one large middle lobe
and two small or almost obsolete side lobes. _Filaments_ 5 mm. long,
terete; anthers 1·25 mm. long, linear. _Ovary_ 2 mm. long, 1 mm. in
diameter, ellipsoid, densely villous above, 2-celled, with a pendulous
ovule in each cell; styles two, 4 mm. long, terete, free from the base;
stigma simple (in some flowers examined there was only a single style).
_Immature fruit_ 3·5 mm. long, 1·5 mm. in diameter, ellipsoid (National
Herb. Pretoria 1668).
* * * * *
PLATE 92.--Fig. 1, longitudinal section through head showing axis
of the inflorescence; Fig. 2, floral bract; Fig. 3, a single
flower; Fig. 4, a stamen; Fig. 5, longitudinal section of ovary
showing the two cells and pendulous ovules.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: 93.
K. A. Lansdell del.]
PLATE 93.
HOODIA BAINII.
_Cape Province._
* * * * *
ASCLEPIADACEAE. Tribe STAPELIEAE.
HOODIA, _Sweet._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant._ vol. ii. p. 783.
* * * * *
=Hoodia Bainii=, _Dyer in Bot. Mag._ t. 6348; _Fl. Cap_. vol. iv. sect. i.
p. 897.
* * * * *
This plant, although previously figured in botanical publications, has
been thought worthy of another illustration, especially as the former
figures are not generally available to cultivators of South African
succulents.
The first species of this interesting genus was brought to the notice of
botanists in 1874 by Sir Henry Barkly, who sent specimens to Kew, where
it flowered the following year. Since then other species have come to
light, and we now know of seven species of the genus occurring in the
desert regions of the Cape Province and Namaqualand.
The specimen figured was collected by Mrs. D. van der Bijl,
Kruidfontein, Fraserburg District, in 1921, and sent to the Division of
Botany, where it flowered in September 1922. The plant sends up numerous
stems 9-12 inches high, and on these flowers profusely. The flowers are
martius yellow (Ridgway Colour Standards) in colour, with a dark corona
standing out in sharp relief in the middle of the saucer-shaped corolla.
Like many other members of this group of plants, the flowers have a
disagreeable odour.
DESCRIPTION:--Plant 6-8 in. high in the specimens seen (12-15 in.
according to Barkly), bushily branched; branches 1-1½ in. thick, with
12-15 tuberculate angles, glabrous, green, somewhat glaucous; tubercles
tipped with a slender pale brown spine 3½-5 in. long; flowers 1-2
together, glabrous in all parts; pedicels ¼-½ in. long; sepals 2-2½ in.
long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate; corolla in bud hemispheric at the
basal part, 5-winged above, truncate, with a short central point, when
expanded 2½-3 in. in diameter, cup-shaped, about 1 in. deep, subtruncate
at the margin with 5 subulate or awn-like points 1½-3 in. long,
glabrous, smooth, not papillate on the central part, light yellow or
pale buff, sometimes tinged with pinkish or very pale purple; tube
obsolete, represented by a slight depression from which the blackish
corona is exserted or its margins resting upon the rim, when dried
contained in a very small cup; outer corona 1¾-2 in. in diameter,
cupular, 5-lobed; lobes ¼-⅓ in. long, nearly 1 in. broad, emarginate;
inner corona-lobes ⅖ in. long, oblong, obtuse, closely incumbent upon
the backs of the anthers and not exceeding them, dorsally connected to
the inflexed sinuses of the outer corona; follicles 4-5 in. long, 4-5
in. thick, terete-fusiform, tapering to a beak, glabrous, smooth; seeds
3-3½ in. long, 1½ in. broad, ovate, flat, with a slightly thickened
margin, glabrous, smooth, light brown. _Flora Capensis_ (National Herb.
Pretoria 2592).
* * * * *
PLATE 93.--Fig. 1, bud; Fig. 2, transverse section of stem; Fig. 3,
corona; Fig. 4, pollinia.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: 94.
M. Page del.]
PLATE 94.
TRITONIA MATHEWSIANA.
_Transvaal._
IRIDACEAE. Tribe IXIEAE.
TRITONIA, _Ker._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 708.
=Tritonia Mathewsiana=, _L. Bolus in Annals Bolus Herb_. vol. iii. p. 76.
This species, which belongs to one of the large South African genera of
the iris family, differs from all genera of _Iridaceae_ hitherto figured
in this publication in having small brown spathe valves. The genus is
represented in South Africa by over thirty species, mostly confined to
the coastal region of the Cape Province, but with a few in Namaqualand,
Natal, and the Transvaal. _Tritonia lineata_ is the most widely
distributed species of the genus, occurring in the Mossel Bay, Bathurst,
Albany, Stockenstroom, and Somerset East Divisions, and extending into
East Griqualand, Basutoland, and Natal.
The species here figured is a new record for the Transvaal, and was
found by Mrs. H. M. Wood at Graskop, Pilgrim’s Rest. Plants were sent to
the National Botanic Gardens, Kirstenbosch, and flowered there during
February of the years 1918-1921 (National Botanic Gardens, No. 542/16).
An illustration was made from these specimens and kindly lent to us by
the Curator of the Bolus Herbarium for reproduction.
DESCRIPTION:--An erect glabrous plant 1·5 mm. or more high. _Leaves_
ascending or almost erect, 35 cm. long, 4 cm. broad, ensiform, with
about 13 primary nerves; radical leaves about 4; cauline leaves about
10. _Peduncle_ up to 15 cm. long clasped by the uppermost leaf which is
reduced to 6 cm. long. _Inflorescence_ racemose with the branches
divaricate and the flowering axis flexuose, moderately dense with the
flowers secund, at length perpendicular to the axis. _Bracts_ 3-5 mm.
long, oblong, acute, the younger herbaceous; bracteoles almost joined
to their apices, acute, equalling the bracts. _Perianth_ 3-3·5 cm. long;
tube 1·8 cm. long, 1·5 mm. in diameter at the base, 5 mm. in diameter
above, infundibuliform; segments at length spreading, ovate-oblong,
obtuse; the outer 1·3 cm. long, 5 mm. broad; the inner 1·5 cm. long, 6
mm. broad; the uppermost 1·7 cm. long, 7 mm. broad. _Stamens_ more or
less curved; filaments 1·3 cm. long; anthers 5-7 mm. long. _Style_ 2·3
cm. long; branches 5 mm. long. _Capsule_ 8 mm. long, subglobose,
obtusely 3-angled. _Seeds_ many, 4 mm. long, subtriangular.
* * * * *
PLATE 94.--Fig. 1, whole plant (reduced); Fig. 2, flower laid open;
Fig. 3, fruit; Fig. 4, seed × 2.
F.P.S.A., 1923.
[Illustration: 95.
K. A. Lansdell del.]
PLATE 95.
LEUCOSPERMUM CORDATUM.
_Cape Province._
PROTEACEAE. Tribe PROTEEAE.
LEUCOSPERMUM, _R. Br._; _Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant_. vol. iii. p. 170.
=Leucospermum cordatum=, _Phillips_ in _Kew Bulletin_, 1923, _ined._
Although the South African _Proteaceae_ are usually conspicuous plants
and have been recently monographed in the _Flora Capensis_, undescribed
species continue to be discovered. This is the case with the plant here
figured, which was collected in November 1922 by Mr. T. P. Stokoe near
Kogel Bai, on the Hottentots Holland Mountains at an altitude of 2500
ft.
Mr. Stokoe describes it as a plant of straggling growth among loose
stones and grass. We have previously figured a species of this genus
(Plate 74), and readers are referred to the description there for the
principal differences between the genera _Protea_ and _Leucospermum_.
The decumbent habit of this species is also found in _Leucospermum
hypophyllum_, but is not common in the family.
Our plate was prepared from fresh plants forwarded by Mr. Stokoe.